"We carry a positive message," the bass player and singer says during a visit Monday to The Post-Standard studio to perform the original song "Give to Receive" for the Music Notes Performance video series.

Combined with a musical style that bridges the worlds of world music and rock, that vibe has carried Grupo Pagan toward the 10-year anniversary mark. They'll hit that milestone in six months.

"People in this band are real approachable," says Pagan, who brought keyboardists and singers Rhona Arns and Bill DiCosimo, guitarist Kristopher Heels and percussionist Emedin Rivera (sitting in for regular percussionist Josh Dekaney, who was in New York City to play Lincoln Center with the Syracuse University Brazilian Ensemble).

"Everybody appreciates the fans, and bands, and clubs. Do unto others. It's the golden rule, and it applies to music, too," Pagan says. "It's about making the people feel good."

They've been busy of late, with gigs at the Nelson Odeon and Mohegan Manor as part of Central New York Jazz Central's first winter jazz fest .

Good times, yes.

"We help people get their groove on," Pagan says. "It's a spiritual thing. You have to go with those feelings."